Bozanic hoping to emulate countrymen after transfer

New Hearts signing Oliver Bozanic is hoping to follow in the footsteps of his fellow Australians in Scottish football.

Bozanic was announced this week as manager Craig Levein’s ninth transfer of a busy summer window – it has since gone up to 10 with the arrival of Peter Haring – after signing a two-year deal.

The central midfielder joined on a free transfer from Melbourne City and is the third Australian to link up with the Jambos ahead of next season after Ryan Edwards and Ben Garuccio.

Although he has been capped seven times by his country and appeared at the 2014 World Cup, Bozanic has not played for the Socceroos for three years and is hoping to replicate the achievements of Celtic’s Tom Rogic, who has forced his way into the national set-up and played in the 1-1 draw against Denmark on Thursday.

“Those boys have done tremendously well here in Scotland,” he said of Rogic and Jamie Maclaren, who also impressed in a loan spell with Hibernian last season.

“Credit to them they are back in the national team and hopefully that can be a progression for me as well.”

Australia are clinging on to their World Cup hopes in Russia after claiming just a point from their opening two games. They face Peru on Tuesday and Bozanic still has hope after an encouraging display against the Danes.

Hearts’ activity in the transfer market so far suggests a change in direction under Levein, who took over last August.

There has been a setback, however, in the pursuit of David Milinkovic after his impressive loan spell last season, with the club pulling out of an agreed deal with Genoa having failed to agree terms with the player.

Oliver Bozanic sports his new colours after signing for the Tynecastle side.